When he was a small boy, Barry loved playing with the toy farm his father made for him. He tended to the small cows, sheep and pigs, drove the tractor, mucked out the stables and fed the horses.
Sometimes his father would join him, but after his parents divorce he sat playing on his own.
Being from a working class family, Barry knew he would never be able to have a real farm. He was also put off by the hard work.
It had taken him a few years, but now he had the farm he dreamed of.
He worked in the abandoned warehouse as Farmer Barry, tending to his collection of stuffed animals. The college course in taxidermy and a knack for livestock rustling had given him the means to create his life-size playset.
Lifting the stuffed fox outside the fence to protect the sheep, Barry sighed. The end of another busy day. He tapped his father on the head. His dad’s glazed, still eyes didn’t respond, just like when he used to play with Barry and his toy farm.
‘Goodnight, Dad,’ said Barry. ‘See you in the morning.’
He flicked the light off.
Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Al Forbes. For more details visit HERE.
To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Yikes! That actually gave me the shivers lol Very good!!
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Thank you, it had the desired effect!
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Very creepy stuff indeed
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Thanks Angie.
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Wow, that’s real creative. Nicely done
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Thank you.
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A great story!
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Thanks Jennie, glad you liked it!
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You’re welcome!
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Laughing! Love it.
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Thanks CE, I have been playing a lot of ‘farm’ recently with my son. Hoping the similarity to this story ends there.
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Oh, my goodness – taxidaddy!
Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings
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Ha, indeed.
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Feels a little like The Landlady by Roald Dahl.
Great job of creating such a full story in so few words. Lingering aftereffects with this one!
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Not read that particular story but do like Roald Dahl. Thanks Eva 🙂
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Umm, Psycho? Great story.
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He may have some issues.
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Well that was grim. If Barry’s put off by work, what does he do to fund his little enterprise, work as a legitimate taxidermist during the day?
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Quite possibly, although one to avoid if you ever need an animal stuffing!
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The stuff…or stuffing…that life is made of. Well done!
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Ha, thank you.
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Oh my God. You got me (again)!
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Thanks Liz.
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No no no…thank YOU! 😀
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Brilliant! I don’t know how you get ideas like this, but I’m pleased you do. I had a work colleague whose hobby was taxidermy; he always seemed to be silently appraising the people around him. After reading your story I’m feeling relieved that we didn’t socialise outside work.
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Haha, hope he didn’t do anything like this!
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Delightfully dark. Does Barry have any farmhands?
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Strong possibility, a few local unexplained disappearances perhaps…
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Whoa! That took a turn towards the bizarre. Good one, Iain.
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Glad you liked it Varad.
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We seem to have the same themes in our stories lately, Iain! This time, taxidermy! I enjoyed your story!
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Thanks Rosemary.
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This seemed like a little bit of E A Poe, lovely
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High praise, thanks Michael
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A surprising and creepy ending, eeww! Well done!
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Thanks Joy 🙂
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Well done! Can’t remember when I last chuckled and shivered at the same time. 🙂 Wonderful writing as always, Iain.
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Thank you Sonny, very kind.
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Great ‘stuff’, Kelly.
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Thanks Neel
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Psycho farm. Only the creepy music is lacking. Yikes!
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Haha, I’m sure we could find some 🙂
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At first I thought this was going to be a nice, heartwarming story about the working class kid growing up to achieve his dream, but no. Great story! Very creepy.
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I like that you thought it would have a positive ending! Well, he’s happy at least 🙂
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Woah! Scary guy. Great story.
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Yes he is! Thank you.
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That went suddenly creepy. I love it. Good story Iain.
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Thank you 🙂
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